Sound processing assembly for use in a cochlear implant system

ABSTRACT

An exemplary cochlear implant system includes a sound processing assembly configured to be external to a patient and first and second extension members coupled to the sound processing assembly. The sound processing assembly includes a sound processing unit configured to process an audio signal and transmit one or more control parameters based on the audio signal to an implantable cochlear stimulator and a battery module configured to be electrically coupled to the sound processing unit and provide operating power to the sound processing unit. The first extension member has a distal portion configured to be coupled to a first ear of the patient and the second extension member has a distal portion configured to be coupled to a second ear of the patient. The first and second extension members typically extend back from the ears, thus positioning the sound processing assembly behind the patient&#39;s head.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/697,028, filed Jan. 29, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,352,046, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/148,648, filed Jan. 30, 2009, which application is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The sense of hearing in human beings involves the use of hair cells inthe cochlea that convert or transduce audio signals into auditory nerveimpulses. Hearing loss, which may be due to many different causes, isgenerally of two types: conductive and sensorineural. Conductive hearingloss occurs when the normal mechanical pathways for sound to reach thehair cells in the cochlea are impeded. These sound pathways may beimpeded, for example, by damage to the auditory ossicles. Conductivehearing loss may often be overcome through the use of conventionalhearing aids that amplify sound so that audio signals can reach the haircells within the cochlea. Some types of conductive hearing loss may alsobe treated by surgical procedures.

Sensorineural hearing loss, on the other hand, is caused by the absenceor destruction of the hair cells in the cochlea which are needed totransduce audio signals into auditory nerve impulses. People who sufferfrom sensorineural hearing loss are unable to derive any benefit fromconventional hearing aid systems.

To overcome sensorineural hearing loss, numerous cochlear implantsystems—or cochlear prosthesis—have been developed. Cochlear implantsystems bypass the hair cells in the cochlea by presenting electricalstimulation directly to the auditory nerve fibers. Direct stimulation ofthe auditory nerve fibers leads to the perception of sound in the brainand at least partial restoration of hearing function.

To facilitate direct stimulation of the auditory nerve fibers, an arrayof electrodes may be implanted in the cochlea. The electrodes form anumber of stimulation channels through which electrical stimulationpulses may be applied directly to auditory nerves within the cochlea. Anaudio signal may then be presented to a patient by translating the audiosignal into a number of electrical stimulation pulses and applying thestimulation pulses directly to auditory nerves within the cochlea viaone or more of the electrodes.

Traditional cochlear implant systems include a behind-the-ear (“BTE”)sound processing unit configured to communicate with an implantablecochlear stimulator. The BTE sound processing unit includes both aprocessor and removable battery module, and may also include a removablemicrophone. Hence, the BTE unit can seem quite heavy to the patientafter being worn all day. Many cochlear implant patients would like tobe able to reduce the size and weight of what is worn on the ear, but donot want to sacrifice battery capacity by using a smaller batterymodule.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the invention(s) described and claimed herein,exemplary cochlear implant systems include a sound processing assemblyconfigured to be external to a patient and first and second extensionmembers coupled to the sound processing assembly. The sound processingassembly includes a sound processing unit configured to process an audiosignal and transmit one or more control parameters based on the audiosignal to an implantable cochlear stimulator (also referred to as a“cochlear implant”, or “CI”). The sound processing assembly alsoincludes a battery module configured to be electrically coupled to thesound processing unit and provide operating power to the soundprocessing unit and the CI. The first extension member has a distalportion configured to be coupled to a first ear of the patient and thesecond extension member has a distal portion configured to be coupled toa second ear of the patient.

Additional or alternative cochlear implant systems include a bilateralsound processing assembly configured to be external to a patient andfirst and second extension members coupled to the bilateral soundprocessing assembly. The bilateral sound processing assembly includes asound processing unit configured to process an audio signal and transmitone or more control parameters based on the audio signal to a firstcochlear implant, or CI-1, corresponding to a first ear of the patientand to a second cochlear implant, or CI-2, corresponding to a second earof the patient, and a battery module configured to be electricallycoupled to the sound processing unit and provide operating power to thesound processing unit. The first extension member has a distal portionconfigured to be coupled to the first ear and the second extensionmember has a distal portion configured to be coupled to the second ear.

Additional or alternative cochlear implant systems include: (1) a firstcochlear implant, or CI-1, configured to apply electrical stimulationrepresentative of an audio signal to a stimulation site within a rightcochlea of a patient in accordance with one or more control parameters;(2) a second cochlear implant, or CI-2, configured to apply electricalstimulation representative of the audio signal to a stimulation sitewithin a left cochlea of the patient in accordance with one or moreother control parameters; and (3) a bilateral sound processing assemblyconfigured to be external to the patient. The bilateral sound processingassembly includes a sound processing unit configured to process theaudio signal and transmit the control parameters to the CI-1 and/or theCI-2, as required. A battery module provides operating power to thesound processing unit, as well as to the CI-1 and the CI-2. The batterymodule may be detachably coupled to the sound processing unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of theprinciples described herein and are a part of the specification. Theillustrated embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scopeof the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary cochlear implant (CI) system accordingto principles described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary behind the ear (BTE) unit according toprinciples described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary external sound processor portion thatmay be a part of a cochlear implant system according to principlesdescribed herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary external sound processor portionthat may be a part of a bilateral cochlear implant system according toprinciples described herein.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary configuration wherein a sound processingassembly is worn behind the head of a patient according to principlesdescribed herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary external sound processor portionthat may be a part of a bilateral cochlear implant system according toprinciples described herein.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary configuration wherein a sound processingassembly is attached to a belt of a patient according to principlesdescribed herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary configuration wherein a sleeve at leastpartially surrounds the extension members and the sound processingassembly according to principles described herein.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar,but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary cochlear implant systems and methods are described herein. Insome examples, the systems include a sound processing assemblyconfigured to be external to a patient along with first and secondextension members coupled to the sound processing assembly. The soundprocessing assembly includes a sound processing unit configured toprocess an audio signal and transmit one or more control parametersbased on the audio signal to an implantable cochlear stimulator, orcochlear implant (“CI”), and a battery module configured to beelectrically coupled to the sound processing unit and provide operatingpower to the sound processing unit. The battery module also willtypically provide operating power to the CI. The first extension memberhas a distal portion configured to be coupled to a first ear of thepatient and the second extension member has a distal portion configuredto be coupled to a second ear of the patient.

The systems and methods described herein are advantageous in manyinstances because they reduce the size and weight of what a cochlearimplant patient has to wear behind his or her ears. They also facilitateremovable coupling of the battery module to the sound processing unit,which allows a patient to interchange the type of battery module that isused to provide power to the sound processing unit. Additional oralternative advantages of the present systems and methods are describedin more detail below.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present systems and methods. It will be apparent,however, to one skilled in the art that the present systems and methodsmay be practiced without these specific details. Reference in thespecification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Theappearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

To facilitate an understanding of the methods and systems describedherein, an exemplary cochlear implant system 100 will now be describedin connection with FIG. 1. Exemplary cochlear implant systems suitablefor use as described herein include, but are not limited to, thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,400,590; 4,532,930; 4,592,359; 4,947,844;5,824,022; 6,219,580; 6,272,382; and 6,308,101. All of these listedpatents are incorporated herein by reference in their respectiveentireties.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cochlear implant system 100, also referred toherein as a cochlear prosthesis, includes an external sound processorportion 110 and an implanted cochlear stimulation portion 120. The soundprocessor portion 110 may include a sound processing unit 130, amicrophone 140, a headpiece 145, and/or additional circuitry as bestserves a particular application. The cochlear stimulation portion 120(also referred to sometimes as a cochlear implant, or “CI”, portion) mayinclude an implantable cochlear stimulator (ICS) 150, a lead 160 with anarray of electrodes 170 disposed thereon, and/or additional circuitry asbest serves a particular application. It will be recognized that thesound processor portion 110 may alternatively be located internal to thepatient.

The microphone 140 of FIG. 1 is configured to sense audio signals andconvert the sensed signals to corresponding electrical signals. In someexamples, the audio signal may include speech. The audio signal mayadditionally include music, noise, and/or other sounds. The electricalsignals are sent to the sound processing unit 130 over an electrical orother suitable link. Alternatively, the microphone 140 may be connecteddirectly to, or integrated with, the sound processing unit 130.

The sound processing unit 130 may include any combination of hardware,software, and/or firmware as best serves a particular application. Forexample, the sound processing unit 130 may include one or moreprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), filters, programmablememory units, storage mediums, etc.

In some examples, the sound processing unit 130 may be configured toprocess the converted audio signals in accordance with a selected soundprocessing strategy to generate appropriate stimulation parameters forcontrolling the electrical stimulation generated by the implantablecochlear stimulator 150. The stimulation parameters may control variousparameters of the stimulation current applied to a stimulation siteincluding, but not limited to, frequency, pulse width, amplitude,waveform (e.g., square or sinusoidal), electrode polarity (i.e.,anode-cathode assignment), location (i.e., which electrode pair orelectrode group receives the stimulation current), burst pattern (e.g.,burst on time and burst off time), duty cycle or burst repeat interval,spectral tilt, ramp on time, and ramp off time of the stimulationcurrent that is applied to the stimulation site.

The lead 160 of FIG. 1 is adapted to be inserted within a duct of apatient's cochlea. As shown in FIG. 1, the lead 160 includes an array ofelectrodes 170 disposed along its length. It will be recognized that anynumber of electrodes 170 may be disposed along the lead 160 as may servea particular application.

Each of the electrodes 170 is electrically coupled to the implantablecochlear stimulator 150. Electronic circuitry within the implantablecochlear stimulator 150 may therefore be configured to apply stimulationcurrent to selected pairs or groups of electrodes 170 in accordance witha specified stimulation pattern controlled by the sound processing unit130.

As mentioned, the implantable cochlear stimulator 150 and lead 160 maybe implanted within the patient while the sound processing unit 130 andthe microphone 140 are configured to be located outside the patient,e.g., behind the ear. Hence, the implantable cochlear stimulator 150 andthe sound processing unit 130 may be transcutaneously coupled via asuitable data or communications link 180. The communications link 180allows power and control signals to be sent from the sound processingunit 130 to the implantable cochlear stimulator 150. In someembodiments, data and status signals may also be sent from theimplantable cochlear stimulator 150 to the sound processing unit 130.

The external and implantable portions of the cochlear implant system 100may each include one or more coils configured to transmit and receivepower and/or control signals via the data link 180. For example, theexternal portion 110 of the cochlear implant system 100 may include anexternal coil 190 disposed within headpiece 145, which may be configuredto be affixed to the patient's head. The implantable portion of thecochlear implant system 120 may include an implantable coil 195configured to be inductively coupled to the external coil 190, therebyallowing data and power signals to be wirelessly transmitted between theexternal portion and the implantable portion of the cochlear implantsystem 100. Because in certain embodiments, the external portion 110 ofthe cochlear implant system 100 may not always be within close proximityto the implantable portion of the cochlear implant system 120, such aswhen the external portion 110 is removed for sleeping, the system may beconfigured to recognize when the implantable coil 195 and the externalcoil 190 are within range of one another.

The sound processing unit 130 and the implantable cochlear stimulator150 may be configured to operate in accordance with one or more controlparameters. These control parameters may be configured to specify one ormore stimulation parameters, operating parameters, and/or any otherparameter as may serve a particular application. Exemplary controlparameters include, but are not limited to, most comfortable currentlevels (“M levels”), threshold current levels, channel acoustic gainparameters, front and backend dynamic range parameters, current steeringleakage parameters, pulse rate values, pulse width values, filtercharacteristics, and dynamic compression parameters. Many other controlparameters may be specified as may serve a particular application.

In some examples, a patient may be fitted with two cochlear implantsystems 100—one for each ear. In such a bilateral configuration, a firstimplantable cochlear stimulator 150 is implanted within a first ear anda second implantable cochlear stimulator 150 is implanted within asecond ear. First and second sound processing units 130 may beconfigured to control an operation of the first and second implantablecochlear stimulators 150, respectively.

In some examples, the sound processing unit 130 may be embodied by orincluded within a BTE unit. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary BTE unit200. As shown in FIG. 2, the BTE unit 200 may include sound processingunit 130, a battery module 210, and microphone 140 coupled one toanother. In some examples, the BTE unit 200 may be removably coupled toheadpiece 145 via a cable 220.

Battery module 210 may be configured to provide operating power for oneor more components of the BTE unit 200. In some examples, the batterymodule 210 may be selectively removed from the sound processing unit130. In this manner, differently sized battery units 210 may be coupledto the sound processing unit 130 in order to provide a desired amount ofoperating power to the components of the BTE unit 200. In general, asthe size of the battery module 210 increases, the longer the BTE unit200 may operate before having to recharge or replace the battery module210.

As shown in FIG. 2, the BTE unit 200 may be dimensioned such that it maybe worn behind the ear. However, as mentioned, the BTE unit 200 may seemquite heavy to a patient after being worn all day, especially when arelatively large battery module 210 is attached to the sound processingunit 130. Moreover, the positioning of the BTE unit 200 behind the earmay impede the ability of the patient to participate in sports,exercise, and/or other physical activities that may cause the BTE unit200 to become dislodged or otherwise damaged. In addition, BTE units 200are readily noticeable and are often a source of embarrassment tocochlear implant patients, especially children. These drawbacks of BTEunits 200 are exasperated for bilateral cochlear implant patients.

To this end, the systems and methods described herein provideconfigurations wherein one or more components of a cochlear implantsystem 100 may be worn behind the head or at some other convenientlocation. These configurations, as will be described in more detailbelow, minimize many of the inconveniences and drawbacks of traditionalcochlear implant systems.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary external sound processor portion 300that may be a part of a cochlear implant system 100. As shown in FIG. 3,a sound processing assembly 310 may be coupled to first and secondextension members 320-1 and 320-2, collectively referred to herein as“extension members 320”. The sound processing assembly 310 may include abattery module 210 removably coupled to a sound processing unit 130which has a length that is substantially greater than its height andwidth. To this end, the battery module 210 may include a connectorassembly (not shown) configured to be removably coupled to acorresponding connector assembly (not shown) that is a part of the soundprocessing unit 130.

Because the battery module 210 is removably coupled to the soundprocessing unit 130, the battery module 210 may be easily interchangedwith other battery modules 210 as may serve a particular application.

The external sound processor portion 300 shown in FIG. 3 may beconfigured to be used by a bilateral cochlear implant patient. To thisend, the sound processing unit 130 may include a bilateral soundprocessing unit 130 that is configured to control the operation ofimplantable cochlear stimulators 150 (see FIG. 1), there being onecochlear stimulator implanted in each ear of a patient, or a total oftwo cochlear stimulators 150. In some examples, a single soundprocessing unit 130 configured to control both implantable cochlearstimulators 150 eliminates redundant circuits and/or components that maybe present in separate sound processing units 130. However, in somealternative examples, as will be described in more detail below, thesound processing assembly 300 may include first and second soundprocessing units 130 each configured to control a correspondingimplantable cochlear stimulator 150.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sound processing assembly 310 may be generallyelongate so as to be able to fit behind a head of the patient. In someexamples, the sound processing assembly 310 may be contoured orotherwise fitted to the head of a particular patient to optimizefitting, comfort, and/or aesthetic appeal. In some examples, the soundprocessing assembly 310 may be at least partially surrounded by ahousing or encasing made out of any suitable material.

Extension members 320 may be coupled at a proximal end to the soundprocessing assembly 310 and configured to extend in a generallyperpendicular direction from the sound processing assembly 310, similarto eyeglasses arm members. As shown in FIG. 3, the distal portions ofthe extension members 320 may be generally curved so that they may beworn behind the ears of a patient. It will be recognized that the distalportion of the extension members 320 may alternatively have any othershape as may serve a particular application. For example, the distalportion of the extension members 320 may be generally straight or of anyother suitable shape or dimension. In some examples, one or more of theextension members 320 may be configured to house one or more conductivewires or other components of the external sound processor portion 300.

In some examples, a microphone 140 may be coupled to a distal end ofeach extension member 320 such that the microphone 140 is positionedadjacent to or near the opening of the ear. For example, microphone140-1 is coupled to the distal end of extension member 320-1 andmicrophone 140-2 is coupled to the distal end of extension member 320-2.The microphones 140 may alternatively be coupled to any other componentof the external sound processor portion 300 as may serve a particularapplication.

The sound processing unit 130 may be electrically coupled to one or moreheadpieces (e.g., headpieces 145-1 and 145-2, collectively referred toherein as “headpieces 145”) via one or more corresponding cables (e.g.,cables 330-1 and 330-2, collectively referred to herein as “cables330”). The cables 330 may be made out of any suitable material. In someexamples, the cables 330 may be physically coupled to the extensionmembers 320, as shown in FIG. 3. In this example, one or more conductivewires configured to facilitate electrical coupling of the headpieces 145to the sound processing unit 130 may be disposed within cable 330 and/orwithin the extension members 330. In some alternative examples, thecables 330 may be coupled directly to the sound processing unit 130, asdescribed below in connection with FIG. 4. In yet other alternativeexamples, the headpieces 145 may be wirelessly coupled to the soundprocessing unit 130.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary external sound processor portion400 that may be a part of a bilateral cochlear implant system 100. Asshown in FIG. 4, the sound processing assembly 310 may include first andsecond sound processing units 130-1 and 130-2, referred to herein as“sound processing units 130”. Each sound processing unit 130 isconfigured to control a corresponding implantable cochlear stimulator150. For example, sound processing unit 130-1 may be configured tocontrol an implantable cochlear stimulator 150 having its lead 160, andassociated electrodes 170 (see FIG. 1), placed within the cochlea of theleft ear. Similarly, sound processing unit 130-2 may be configured tocontrol an implantable cochlear stimulator 150 having its lead 160, andassociated electrodes 170, placed within the cochlear the right ear.

In some examples, the battery module 210 may be removably coupled to oneor both of the sound processing units 130. To this end, the batterymodule 210 may include connector assemblies disposed at both endsthereof, wherein each of the connector assemblies are configured to becoupled to corresponding connector assemblies that are part of the soundprocessing units 130.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cables 330-1 and 330-2, configured to couple theheadpieces 145 to their respective sound processing units 130, may becoupled directly to the sound processing units 130. To this end, thesound processing units 130 may each include a connector assembly (e.g.,connector assembly 400-1 and connector assembly 400-2) configured tofacilitate coupling of the cables 330 to their respective soundprocessing units 130.

As mentioned, the sound processing assembly 310 may be configured to beworn behind the head of a patient. To illustrate, FIG. 5 shows anexemplary configuration wherein the sound processing assembly 310 isworn behind the head 500 of a patient. As shown in FIG. 5, the extensionmembers 320 are worn behind the ears such that the elongate soundprocessing assembly 310 is positioned horizontally behind the head 500.By positioning the sound processing assembly 310 behind the head 500,the size and weight of what is worn behind the ears is reduced.

The sound processing assembly 310 may be alternatively worn by a patientat any other suitable location. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates anotherexemplary external sound processor portion 600 that may be a part of abilateral cochlear implant system 100 wherein the sound processingassembly 310 is configured to be worn by a patient at any suitablelocation. As shown in FIG. 6, cables 610-1 and 610-2, collectivelyreferred to herein as “cables 610”, may be coupled to the soundprocessing assembly 310. Each cable is coupled to an earpiece (e.g.,earpiece 620-1 and earpiece 620-2, collectively referred to herein as“earpieces 620”). The earpieces 620 are configured to be worn behind theears of the patient. Each earpiece 620 is coupled to a correspondingmicrophone 140 and to a corresponding headpiece 145. It will berecognized that the microphones 140 and headpieces 145 may alternativelybe coupled to the sound processing assembly 310 in any other way as mayserve a particular application.

The cables 610 may be of any suitable length and may be flexible so asto allow the sound processing assembly 310 to be worn by the patient atany suitable location. To this end, the sound processing assembly 310may include a clip assembly or other affixation assembly configured toallow the patient to clip or otherwise attach the sound processingassembly 310 to a belt, piece of clothing, or other object.

To illustrate, FIG. 7 shows an exemplary configuration wherein the soundprocessing assembly 310 is attached to a belt 700 of a patient. Thesound processing assembly 310 may be attached to the belt 700 in anysuitable manner. For example, the sound processing assembly 310 mayinclude a clip assembly configured to clip to the belt. It will berecognized that the sound processing assembly 310 may be attached to anyother piece of clothing or to any body part as may serve a particularapplication.

As shown in FIG. 7, the cables 610 are joined together near the soundprocessing assembly 310 and are then routed to the ears of the patient,where they are separated again. In this manner, entanglement of thecables 610 may be minimized. As shown in FIG. 7, the cables 610 are longenough to allow the sound processing assembly 310 to be attached to belt700 when the earpieces 620 are worn behind the ear. The configuration ofFIG. 7 is advantageous in many situations wherein the patient desires tohide the sound processing assembly 310 from view and/or avoid excessiveweight on the ears.

In some instances, a cochlear implant patient may desire to participatein sports, exercise, and/or other physical activities. To this end, oneor more components of the external sound processor portion 300 may beplaced within a protective “sleeve.” The sleeve may be made out of anysuitable material (e.g., neoprene, rubber, etc.). The sleeve isconfigured to protect one or more components of the external soundprocessor portion 300 from one or more environmental factors that thepatient may encounter, such as rain, snow, dust, water, etc. The sleevealso may be used to prevent one or more components of the external soundprocessor portion 300 from becoming dislodged from the patient while thepatient is engaged in sporting or other activities that may requiresudden movements of the head.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary configuration 800 wherein a sleeve 810at least partially surrounds the extension members 320 and the soundprocessing assembly 310. As shown in FIG. 8, distal ends 820-1 and820-2, collectively referred to herein as “distal ends 820”, of thesleeve 810 may be configured to fit over or otherwise couple tocorresponding arm members 830-1 and 830-2 of eyeglasses 840. In thismanner, a patient with eyeglasses 840 may utilize the sleeve 810 tosecurely fasten the sound processing assembly 310 to the eyeglasses 840.

In some examples, the sleeve 810 may include a slit extending at leastpartially along its length. The slit may allow the patient to remove thesound processing assembly 310 and extension members 320 from the sleeve810.

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate anddescribe embodiments of the invention. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for use with an implantable cochlearstimulator, the system comprising: an elongate processing unit,including electronics configured to generate one or more stimulationparameters for the implantable cochlear stimulator, that defines alength, first and second longitudinal ends, a height and a width, thelength being greater than the height and the width; a first extensionapparatus having a distal portion configured to be coupled to a firstear of a patient and a proximal end coupled to the first longitudinalend of the sound processing unit; a second extension apparatus having adistal portion configured to be coupled to a second ear of the patientand a proximal end coupled to the second longitudinal end of the soundprocessing unit; the respective configurations of the elongateprocessing unit, the first extension apparatus and the second extensionapparatus being such that the elongate processing unit will bepositioned behind the patient's head, with the length perpendicular tothe patient's neck, when the first and second extension apparatus arerespectively coupled the patient's first and second ears; and a firstheadpiece carried by the first extension apparatus and configured tocommunicate with the implantable cochlear stimulator.
 2. A system asclaimed in claim 1, further comprising: a battery module configured toprovide power to the sound processing unit.
 3. A system as claimed inclaim 2, wherein the battery module is configured to be removablycoupled to the sound processing unit.
 4. A system as claimed in claim 3,wherein the battery module includes at least one connector assemblyconfigured to facilitate removal of the battery module from the soundprocessing unit.
 5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the firstextension apparatus includes a first earpiece; and the second extensionapparatus includes a second earpiece.
 6. A system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the distal portion of one of the first extension apparatus andthe second extension apparatus includes a microphone.
 7. A system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the first extensionapparatus includes a first microphone; and the distal portion of thesecond extension apparatus includes a second microphone.
 8. A system asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the implantable cochlear stimulatorcomprises first and second implantable cochlear stimulators; the soundprocessing unit comprises a bilateral sound processing unit; the firstheadpiece is configured to communicate with the first implantablecochlear stimulator; and the system further comprises a second headpiececarried by the second extension apparatus and configured to communicatewith the second implantable cochlear stimulator.
 9. A system for usewith an implantable cochlear stimulator, the system comprising: a soundprocessing unit, including electronics configured to generate one ormore stimulation parameters for the implantable cochlear stimulator,that defines a length, first and second longitudinal ends, a height anda width, the length being greater that the height and the width; a firstextension apparatus having a distal portion configured to be coupled toa first ear of a patient, a proximal end coupled to the firstlongitudinal end of the sound processing unit, and a first cable thatextends from the distal portion to the proximal end, the first cabledefining a length sufficient to extend from the patient's waist to thepatient's head; a second extension apparatus having a distal portionconfigured to be coupled to a second ear of the patient, a proximal endcoupled to the second longitudinal end of the sound processing unit, anda second cable that extends from the distal portion to the proximal end,the second cable defining a length sufficient to extend from thepatient's waist to the patient's head; and a first headpiece carried bythe first extension apparatus and configured to communicate with theimplantable cochlear stimulator.
 10. A system as claimed in claim 9,wherein the first and second cables are joined over a portion of theirrespective lengths.
 11. A system as claimed in claim 9, furthercomprising: a battery module configured to provide power to the soundprocessing unit and to be removably coupled to the sound processingunit.
 12. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the distal portion ofat least one of the first extension apparatus and the second extensionapparatus includes a microphone.
 13. A system as claimed in claim 9,wherein the implantable cochlear stimulator comprises first and secondimplantable cochlear stimulators; the sound processing unit comprises abilateral sound processing unit; the first headpiece is configured tocommunicate with the first implantable cochlear stimulator; and thesystem further comprises a second headpiece carried by the secondextension apparatus and configured to communicate with the secondimplantable cochlear stimulator.
 14. A system for use with animplantable cochlear stimulator, the system comprising: a soundprocessing unit, including electronics configured to generate one ormore stimulation parameters for the implantable cochlear stimulator anda clip configured to attach the sound processing unit to a belt or pieceof clothing, that defines a length, first and second longitudinal ends,a height and a width, the length being greater that the height and thewidth; a first extension apparatus having a distal portion configured tobe coupled to a first ear of a patient and a proximal end coupled to thefirst longitudinal end of the sound processing unit; a second extensionapparatus having a distal portion configured to be coupled to a secondear of the patient and a proximal end coupled to the second longitudinalend of the sound processing unit; and a first headpiece carried by thefirst extension apparatus and configured to communicate with theimplantable cochlear stimulator.
 15. A system as claimed in claim 14,wherein the distal portion of the first extension apparatus includes afirst microphone; and the distal portion of the second extensionapparatus includes a second microphone.
 16. A system as claimed in claim14, further comprising: a battery module configured to provide power tothe sound processing unit and to be removably coupled to the soundprocessing unit.
 17. A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the distalportion of at least one of the first extension apparatus and the secondextension apparatus includes a microphone.
 18. A system as claimed inclaim 14, wherein the implantable cochlear stimulator comprises firstand second implantable cochlear stimulators; the sound processing unitcomprises a bilateral sound processing unit; the first headpiece isconfigured to communicate with the first implantable cochlearstimulator; and the system further comprises a second headpiece carriedby the second extension apparatus and configured to communicate with thesecond implantable cochlear stimulator.